A'Ibom Government Sustains Fiscal Transparency, Records 86.9% Budget Performance For 2025 Third Quarter
By Imoh Essien (Uyo)
In its bid to foster transparency, accountability, and open governance, the Akwa Ibom State Government has released the 2025 Third Quarter Budget Implementation Report, which shows an impressive 86.9 percent performance as of September 30, 2025.
This was made through a presentation made by the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Nsikan Nkan, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Ministry’s Conference Room.
He described the quarterly briefing as a core element of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda—a governance model anchored on openness, fiscal discipline, and citizen trust.
Dr. Nkan explained that the ₦955 billion “Budget of Consolidation and Expansion” was designed to build on the developmental strides of previous administrations while driving sustainable growth across key sectors. The budget, he said, was prepared in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) Accrual Template and the National Chart of Accounts (NCOA), ensuring full alignment with global fiscal reporting practices.
He revealed that the total revenue inflows from both FAAC and Independent sources amounted to ₦318.09 billion in Q3, and ₦897.14 billion year-to-date, representing 108.1% performance against the approved provision of ₦830 billion.
On the expenditure side, Recurrent Expenditure stood at ₦117.78 billion (77.1%), while Capital Expenditure reached ₦419.27 billion (91.4%). These figures, according to the Commissioner, reflect prudent management and strong budget implementation efficiency across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“This presentation is not just a ritual but a mark of transparency and accountability inherent in the leadership style of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, who governs with sincerity and openness. The people deserve to know how their resources are managed, and this is what we are committed to,” Dr. Nkan affirmed.
He noted that the impressive revenue performance and budget discipline were responsible for the supplementary budget recently passed by the State House of Assembly and signed into law by the Governor, expanding the 2025 fiscal size to ₦1.65 trillion. He assured that the forthcoming fourth-quarter report will capture the revised budget performance, reflecting ongoing and new capital projects under the ARISE Agenda.
Dr. Nkan expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for his visionary leadership and to the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, PhD, and the media community for their consistent partnership in disseminating government policies and programmes objectively.
Representing the Information Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet, commended the Budget Ministry for sustaining the quarterly briefing, describing it as a clear demonstration of openness, democratic governance, and leadership accountability.
He lauded Governor Umo Eno’s administration for redefining governance through participatory communication and transparency, assuring that the Information Ministry will continue to strengthen collaboration with the media to promote the ARISE Agenda and safeguard the integrity of public communication. Journalist were urged to remain ethical in their reportage, advising that " their breaking news should not break the society"
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, applauded the Ministry for institutionalizing periodic fiscal reports, noting that the initiative has deepened trust between the government and the public.
He pledged the media’s continued commitment to accurate reportage, adding that, “such openness eliminates speculation and builds citizens’ confidence in government financial management.”
Comrade John further appealed to the State Government to consider the payment of weigh-in allowance to information officers and other media professionals in the employ of the State Government.
Present at the briefing were senior government officials of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, including Mr. Ottobong Sambo, State Director of Planning, covering duty for the office of the Permanent Secretary; Mr. Otu Asuquo, Head of the Budget Office; Mr. Aniekan Ukpong, Director of Information; and Mr. Ekwere Eshiet, from the Budget Office.
